Further Light Needed

Did such men as Henry Grew and George Storrs understand the truth as clearly as we do today? No. They were unaware of their struggle, as Storrs stated in 1847: " We should do well to remember that we have but just emerged from the dark ages of the Church; and it would not be at all strange if we should find some 'Babylonish garments' still worn by us for truth." Grew, for example, appreciated the ransom provided by Jesus, but he did not understand that it was a "corresponding ransom," that is, the perfect human life of Adam. (1Timothy 2:6) Henry Grew also erroneously believed that Jesus would return and rule visibly on earth. However, Grew did have concern for the sanctification of Jehovah's name, a subject that had been of interest to very few people since the second century C.E.

George Storrs likewise did not have a correct understanding of some important points . He was able to see falsehoods promoted by the clergy, but sometimes he went to the opposite extreme. For example, apparently overreacting to the orthodox clergy's view of Satan, Storrs rejected the idea of the Devil as an actual person. He rejected the Trinity; yet, he was uncertain until shortly before his death as to whether the holy spirit was a person. While George Storrs expected that Christ's return would originally be invisible, he thought that eventually there would be a visible appearing. Nonetheless, it seems that both men were honesthearted and sincere, and they came far close to the truth than most.

The "field" that Jesus described in the parable of the wheat and the weeds was not quite ready to be harvested. (Matthew 13:38) Grew, Storrs, and others were working in the "field" in preparation for the harvest.

Charles Taze Russell, who started publishing this magazine in 1879, wrote concerning his early years: " The Lord gave us many helps in the study of his word, among whom stood prominently, our dearly beloved and aged brother, George Storrs, who, both by word and pen gave us much assistance, but we ever sought not to be followers of men, however, good and wise, but 'Followers of God as dear children' " Yes, sincere Bible students could benefit from the efforts of men like Grew and Storrs, but it was vital to examine God's Word, the Bible, as the real source of the truth. - John 17:17.